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Sunday, February 24, 2013

"Can't and Able: An Inspirational Story" by Cynthia Fabian and illustrated by Daniel Stevens

Can't and Able is a children's book that is billed as an inspirational story. I find that it is not a Biblical inspiration story at all, but is instead a story to inspire children to deal with issues they have that make them feel incapable. In other words, their key word would be "can't" and "I can't" because they just don't feel they have the capability to accomplish whatever it is with which they are confronted.

In the little story, we see charming little stars in the heavens shining with all their might and doing what stars are suppose to do - shine! However, Can't doesn't shine very brightly and he is made fun of and teased because of this and hence his name - "Can't."

The story progresses and "Able" has a major problem and "Can't" saves him. Yes! Can't has now done something of great importance. Then the doctor renames him "Can."

A cute little book that can be used to teach overcoming a plethora of issues in life. Again, the inspirational aspect is not Biblical but is inspiring just the same as a life lesson.

About the author: Cynthia Fabian - “I grew up with a disorder. I always felt like I could not shine, just like Can’t. When I became a teacher, I saw many children that were experiencing the same
difficulties. They were teased and often felt smaller. This book is for all of you, struggling and not knowing how to change your circumstances. If you simply believe, you can change your own circumstances. Believe in yourself and you will see the wonders of change are in your power.”

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

23 comments:

I went back to get my Masters degree after spending 2 years working 4 jobs to get out of debt from my Bachelors. The other students were younger, funded from bank of mom and dad, and did not work a full time job while trying to get their Masters. I could not do the first homework assignment. I used reference books, google, and called a couple of professionals in the field. I was completely lost. I showed up at the next class without the assignment completed at all and was thinking of just dropping the program altogether. Turns out that the professor forgot that he assigned us those problems and never gave us the background for it. No one else could do them either. He spent the lecture explaining how to do the problems.

Thank you Vera for a great book review. I love books that empower children, especially to help them move past challenges with or without a disability. I feel so passionate about this and I hope to empower children with my own books, so well done to Cynthia and thank you for linking it into the Kidlit blog hop.

My son has a bilateral cleft lip and palate. He often gets teased. He was peed on and made to feel like he was not wanted by his classmates. Our family moved to Oklahoma a couple months ago and it was the best thing for our entire family. He is quickly making friends. We know how it feels to have a brilliant star, tucked away, that only we can see. Thank you for your book.

I once failed a professional exam which put my career on hold for a year (you could only write the exam once a year). I am usually pretty confident but I admit there were times when I wanted to give up and say I can't

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